Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-02-04


II still think you had better not med
die, Teresina mia, he replied. "Beppo
and Giorgione are as hard to catch as
eels, and the wider stream you put be-
tween you the better"
At this moment Antonio caught sight
of his mistress coming toward them, and
with hurried goodnight, he frightened
the blue aud silver sash round his waist
and stood in readiness TO help his mistress
into her gondola. In a moment more
the boat shot out into the lagoon, and in
a few minutes was out of sight in the
direction of the Lido.
Teresina leaned over the parapet and
watched the gondola until it di appeared.
Antonio's advice was not at all to her
liking, and she could not obey him. She
was under very great obligations to the
Pruli family, and now was the time to
show her gratitude. 1t was all very fine
for Antonio to say that she could do
nothing, and had better pretend to know
nothing of the gondoliers and their in
tentions. But it would be ungrateful of
her to act like that under the circum-
stances, if she could save her patrons
from being robbed. With these thoughts
in her mind, she turned away from the
parapet and walked slowly toward the
piazza. As she passed the gate of the
gardens, the policeman who had helped
her to find Antonio caught sight of her
and noticed the sad look on her face.
''Has Antonio been unkind to you,
pretty one9" he said jokingly.
Teresina looked up and suddenly hen
face frightened, for a happy idea came
to her mind.
~ was thinking" she said, ''to whom
had better apply to protect the Palazzo
Prluli tonight. But you can help me
and whatever you advise l will do"
And in few words she told him wha)
she had overheard.
The policeman looked serious enough
when she had finished and asked her il
she would know the men again if she
saw them.
ooh, yes" she replied, "they ar.
those good -for-nothing gondoliers of the
Marchesa Contarini, and they know
somehow or other that there is no one tc
guard the house but old rheumatic Pietro
and deaf Gianna.
"You must 90 to the Preside 81
once" the policeman said. 81 would &C
with you myself if could leave my duty,
but l am on duty until midnight and
every moment is precious. Ask to see
the Signor Renzovich and tell him what
| you told me. You know the Preside,
in the Piazza San Stcfano-"
'"Yes, l know" interrupted Teresina,
! hurrying off.
She feltso greatly relieved to find tina,
the policeman considered the matter as
important as she did that although it was
long way off she seemed to walk on
air.
The Preside is the military center OF
Venice 1t is large, irregular set Of
/ buildings formed around square court
yard. On two sides are long, bare,
rambling corridors with white washed
walls leading to the different private
quarters of the officers in command OF
the garrison stationed there, while the
other two sides are occupied by the civic
authorities. A large iron gate is closed
at night and sentlnels are placed outside
on guard.
To this gate Teresina made her way
and was challenged by the sentinel on
| duty. When she askel for the Signor
Renzovich on important business she
was instantly admitted although all the
guards stared hard at her for coming at
| so late an hour and conducted at once
to the apartment OF Signor Renzovich.
The head of the police was short,
stout man, with round, CHEEKY face,
bright, laughing, blue eyes, and was of
an excitable and energetic nature. He
heard Teresina's story with great inter
est, made her describe the two men
Whose conversation she had overheard
and recognized without any difficulty
the gondoliers of the Marchesa Contarini.
1t did not take many minutes to order
that strong G ard of police should &C
| company Teresina to the Palazzo Priuli
and very soon afterward heavy looking
gondola foated along the small, dark
canals toward the Priuli palace. No
one noticed them excepting in the more
lighted thoroughfares, and even there
the only comment was that woman
was being taken to prison.
1t wa arranged that Teresina should
enter first and explain to Pietro and his
wife what the police had come for. In
Il few minutes Pietro opened the front
door and let in the guard, who were
shown into the room where the thieves
were most likely to enter.
The Pruili silver was famous in Venice
both for quantity and quality. Rare old
heirlooms were reported to be put away
on the lower floor in barred rooms and
into this lower floor the police were ad.
mitted while Pietro remained with them.
Teresina stayed and gossiped with deal
old Glanna to prevent her from feeling
alarmed
Before morning the gang of robbers
were caught. Among them were BeppC
and Giorgione, the gondoliers of thu
Marchesa Contarini Pietro sent a mes
senger to the Maphese Priuli, who wa
not far away and who returned at once
Teresina was very modest about he
share in the discovery The police,
moreover, warmly praised her for he
courage and zeal, and the. Priuli family
could not say too much in her praise
The story of Teresina's fidelity lew lik'
wildire all over Venice and for som,
time after her adventure she was ap
plauded whenever she appeared in the Pi
aZza.
She married Anto 10 shortly after
and although she is now somewhat fadet
in her beauty, the story of Teresina tn
, flower girl is still told in Venice will
: Il. RI